baritone

Baritone is a male vocal range and voice type in classical singing, lying between the tenor and the bass. In traditional classifications, baritones sing lower than tenors and higher than basses, though individual ranges vary and may overlap with adjacent types. The practical range is typically from about A2 to A4, with some singers able to reach down to F2 or up to F4/G4 on certain passages. The upper portion of the range is often described as the tessitura, or the part of the range most comfortable for sustained singing.

In opera and musical theater, baritone parts are among the most common. Repertoire includes many iconic roles such as the title role in Verdi's Rigoletto, Don Giovanni in Mozart's Don Giovanni, Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro, and Escamillo in Bizet's Carmen; the baritone can also portray Marcello in Puccini's La Bohème. The voice type is valued for its versatility, ranging from lyrical qualities to more dramatic, projecting tones in heavier repertoire.

Subtypes of baritone include the lyric baritone, which has a brighter, more agile timbre; the dramatic baritone, which delivers a heavier, more powerful sound suitable for intense roles; and the spinto baritone, a voice that combines lyric warmth with a certain dramatic push.

In choral singing, baritone is typically the part between tenor and bass in mixed voices, though labeling and ranges can vary by ensemble.

Notable baritones include Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Tito Gobbi, Sherrill Milnes, and Thomas Hampson, each recognized for distinct contributions to the repertoire.